Sportsbook odds are not going to move much but the Texas Rangers made news on Wednesday for the wrong reason. News came out that manager Ron Washington used cocaine during the 2009 season. Texas is considered a real threat to make the playoffs this season and they are a darkhorse in odds at the Internet sportsbook to win the World Series.
Sportsbook numbers have the Rangers at 2-1 to win the American League West. The Rangers are 20-1 at the Internet sportsbook to win the World Series. The Rangers were a solid team a year ago and many people expect them to contend this season. The news about their manager doesn’t help though. “I apologize for a huge mistake I made,” Washington said at a news conference on Wednesday. “I’m not here to make excuses. I’m not here for sympathy. That would be asking too much. I’m truly sorry for my careless, dangerous and, frankly, stupid behavior last year.”
The Rangers knew that Washington used cocaine last season but they decided to keep their manager. “I was in total shock. Then I was mad,” team president Nolan Ryan said, “Then I was very disappointed. I went through an array of emotions.” Washington offered to step down last season but the team did not accept his resignation. “We think of him as part of our family,” Ryan said. “Just because somebody in your family makes a mistake doesn’t mean you quit loving them. We’ll move forward.”
The players were supportive on Wednesday after hearing the news. “I didn’t have much to say, other than the fact that I was sorry for what happened,” Washington said. “I hope they will allow me to continue to lead them. They embraced it. And if you look around the room, you’ll see the support they have for me because they know the support I have for them.”
Washington has been tested by Major League Baseball on a regular basis since last season and has passed all of the tests. The questions will remain though and if Texas gets off to a slow start or doesn’t perform up to expectations there will definitely be a movement to fire Washington. The Rangers are right with the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners in terms of odds to win the American League West this season at the sportsbook.